Red Sox wanted Putz most of all, but Manny won’t be moving

Not that anyone thinks it will happen (I certainly don’t), but the Red Sox’s top priority in their Manny Ramirez trade talks with the Mariners was not Richie Sexson, although the first baseman would have to be part of such a deal.

It was the Seattle closer that the Red Sox covet. J.J. Putz is the player the Red Sox wanted first and foremost, one reason the talks didn’t get very far.

For the record, Boston GM Theo Epstein says he will spend today (Wednesday) talking about trading Ramirez, then retire the subject for the winter.

The thought that Ramirez could play with the Rangers, Mariners, Giants or anybody else was never more than a longshot at best.